weeping gaia

I think of the weeping Buddha and what it means to me as I walk through this life. I found a small wooden one over a year ago in a small “spiritual” shop. At the time, I had no idea what it meant, but I was moved by the sadness it portrayed. I purchased it. It’s a reminder that if we don’t let go of the fight, we may one day weep for the loss of more than a single loved one.

This is the story I’d found many months ago about the weeping warrior, which is said to be one source of the weeping Buddha carving.

The Weeping Warrior

A long, long time ago there were two legendary warriors who confronted each other in numerous battles with neither getting the best over the other. Both of them wore masks which meant that they never actually saw each other’s face. After many such battles where both skilled warriors failed to best the other, one finally prevailed and the younger warrior was killed. Upon removing his opponents mask as to finally see who his worthy adversary was, the older warrior discovered he had been fighting and now killed his one and only long lost son.

Anguish and suffering tore through the older warrior like a jagged sword tearing through its victim and the man fell to the ground, the very life ripped from him, his chest heaving, he buried his face in his hands to hide the truth of what he saw as tears of dread poured from his eyes. It is said that “the weeping Buddha” is actually a wood carved statue of that tortured and grief stricken older warrior.